AAI Hybrid Avalanche Level 1 Course in the Wasatch Mountains

Things to know

• Covid measures in Wasatch Mountains

  57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

  We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in the Wasatch Mountains, please refer to the State of Utah official website.

  Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

• Why should I book with 57hours?

  With us, it’s all play and no work for you! 57hours is an open platform that connects you with trained and certified outdoor adventure professionals all over the world. Using our tech-savvy, we make it super easy to find and book adventures worth tackling, with guides worth booking, all gathered from the first-hand experiences of the locals who adventure in these amazing locations.

• Why should I take an avalanche course?

  Safety should always be your number one priority in the backcountry. For anyone looking to adventure in the backcountry during winter months, an avalanche safety and rescue course is essential learning. Alpine environments are inherently hazardous and proper response training is critical to safety. This Level 1 course will give you important insights and practical skills that will help you mitigate risk and control your safety in avalanche terrain.

• What can I expect from an avalanche course?

  In this Hybrid Level 1 Course, you can expect to finish the course with the skills and knowledge to remain safer in the backcountry. Everyone who signs up for the course will get a self-paced online learning course developed with the American Alpine Institute (AAI), a live virtual seminar with expert WMG Instructors and two in-depth field days in the backcountry. Your techniques will sharpen, you’ll learn how to navigate terrain safely, make smart decisions, and most of all, you’ll remain safer in unfamiliar terrain.

• What’s included?

  What you get in this adventure:

  • • Expansive self-paced online learning course developed with the American Alpine Institute
    • Live virtual seminar with expert Wasatch Mountain Guides instructors
    • Two private in-depth field days in the backcountry

  What’s not included:

  • • Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
    • Trip insurance
    • Food and snacks
    • Transportation
• How fit do I need to be?

  In order to get the most out of this course, you need to have a moderate level of fitness. For the two field-days, you will be in the backcountry for eight hours each day practicing skills and safety rescue. All participants should feel comfortable on blue level resort runs, be able to manage controlled descents, and able to carry a loaded daypack while skinning up variable degrees of terrain.

• What equipment do I need to bring?

  For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring:

  • Alpine touring skis, telemark skis or splitboard with skins (can be rented)
  • Touring boots and poles (can be rented)
  • Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented):
    • Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon
    • Lightweight snow shovel
    • Avalanche probe

  For personal items, we recommend bringing:

  • Helmet
  • Headlamp
  • Sunglasses
  • Ski goggles
  • Warm hat
  • Sun hat
  • Buff
  • Lightweight gloves (for uphill)
  • Midweight gloves
  • Heavyweight gloves (for downhill)
  • Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks
  • Lightweight base layer top
  • Lightweight fleece jacket
  • Softshell jacket with hood
  • Puffy jacket with hood
  • Lightweight baselayer
  • Bottom softshell pants
  • Ski straps (rubber voile style)
  • Ski crampons (sized to fit your ski width and binding type)
  • Water bottle and 1L of water
  • Thermos with a warm beverage — optional
  • Food you can eat on-the-go
  • First-aid kit
  • Blister kit
  • Sunscreen and lip balm (SPF 50+)
  • Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 30-40L backpack)
  • Camera — optional
• Can I rent equipment?

  All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent:

  • • Avalanche safety pack, including backpack, beacon, shovel and probe may be rented from your guide if needed
    • Alpine touring or telemark skis and poles may be rented from Voile Retail Store
    • Splitboards can be rented from Voile Retail Store
    • Touring boots and helmets can be rented from Christy Sports

  Ski rental locations are in Salt Lake City and should be picked up the night prior to your outing. If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements.

• What’s the itinerary?

  You will complete the online course component at your own pace. Once that is complete, the field days will be two consecutive eight-hour days based in Big or Little Cottonwood Canyon. You’ll cover an exhaustive set of avalanche preparedness skills, including terrain assessment, safe travel, snowpack and weather, tour planning, field ops, stability test use and rescue (beacon search, probing techniques, strategic shoveling, and more).

  Depending on your objectives, full days may start earlier and end later, but in general, your day will look like this:

  • • 8:30 am: Meet your guide at the guide’s recommended location
    • 9:00 am: Head to the location of your course
    • 9:30 am – 5:00 pm: Gear up and spend the day skiing, learning about safety, planning and rescue, stopping for lunch and breaks as needed
    • 5:00 pm: Back to the cars for debriefing and high fives
• What is the minimum age requirement?
  • Everybody over the age of 18 is welcome to book this backcountry skiing adventure.
  • Minors may be permitted to join private tours on a case-by-case basis. If you plan to ski with anyone under the age of 18, please contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
• What about group sizes and pricing?

  For the avalanche training in the field, the max client to guide ratio is 4:1.

  The cost per person decreases as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to learn about avalanche safety with your ski touring friends.

  Avalanche Courses in Wasatch Mountains can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

• What about bad weather?

  Backcountry field days are scheduled to fit with ideal learning conditions. When the weather does not cooperate, your guide will know the correct course of action to take. Whether that’s shifting to a more favorable location or postponing until conditions approve, your guide will know just what to do. In the event of predictably bad weather, you will be contacted prior to the trip to discuss suitable alternatives.

• Do I need an insurance policy?

  We highly recommended that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more.

  If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!

• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to Cottonwood Canyons in the Wasatch Mountains, most people fly into Salt Lake City International Airport. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle to the Canyons. SLC is less than 30 minutes away from the Big and Little Cottonwood Park and Ride Lots. Utah Transit Authority (UTA) offers Ski Bus with trips going up and down Little Cottonwood Canyon and Big Cottonwood Canyon each day.

  Once you and your guide agree on the details of your backcountry field-days, your guide will suggest the best place to meet. The usual meeting points are Big or Little Cottonwood Park and Ride Lot, Alta or Brighton depending on the best conditions for learning. From there, you’ll head to your course.